Days are getting shorter, nights are getting colder, and, depending on where you live, you may notice a definite crispness to the air. Fall is well on its way, and you may already be living that pumpkin spice life. But if you own a home, chances are you also have a fall checklist of things to do around the house before the weather turns cold.
There are several ways you can prepare for fall storms that will keep your home safe and happy. Read on to discover the fall maintenance checklist for your home and how you can make sure you have your coziest winter yet.
Clean Out Your Gutters
One of the first things you need to do when preparing your home for fall storms is clean out your gutters. While the gorgeous foliage of fall is lovely to look at, those falling leaves can cause problems for your home drainage systems. As the weather turns colder, clogged gutters could lead to ice dams that damage your home.
Clear out any debris, dead leaves, sticks, and other material that may have found its way into your gutters over the last year. This is also an excellent time to check all your gutters and ensure there aren’t any leaks, cracks, or loose areas. Fix any that you find and check your drain spouts to ensure they’re all connected and draining correctly.
Fix Roof Problems
Before winter sets in, it’s also essential to deal with any roof repairs you may have been putting off. Fall storms will put more stress than usual on your roof, and as the weather turns cold, you don’t want there to be any leaks, either water or air. In particular, water leaks could cause severe damage when the temperature drops below freezing and ice begins to build up.
Get your roof inspected and make any necessary repairs before the cold sets in. Rehabilitation may include replacing damaged or missing shingles, shoring up the flashing around your chimney, and so on. Make sure to look for any water spots on your ceiling so you can let your roofing inspector know that there may be a leak they should look for.
Check for Drafts
While sealing the roof of your house is essential, it’s not the only spot in your home that you’ll need to close up. During the warmer months, you may not notice any gaps or cracks that have formed around windows and doors. But when fall storms roll in, you’ll notice the icy blasts making their way into your home.
Go around to all your windows and doors and check for any gaps or drafts around the edges. Start by doing a visual inspection, looking for spots where you can see daylight coming in around the frame. Hold your hand close to the edge of the window or door and move all around the frame, paying attention to anywhere you feel air currents moving.
Inspect Your Heating Systems
The last thing you want when cold weather rolls in is to find yourself without heat. While your furnace may have been in good shape last year, that doesn’t mean it will still be reliable this year. You don’t want to take chances on losing heat during the middle of a hard freeze when repair timelines are likely to be delayed.
Get your furnace inspected before the weather turns cold and make any repairs your inspector recommends. It’s also a good idea to get any fireplaces inspected and cleaned at this time, too. Not only is it nice to sit around a fire with your family, but these fireplaces can also become a good heat source if your furnace does go out.
Drain Your Water Heater
When you’re preparing for fall storms, it’s a good idea to take some time to give your water heater a little TLC. Over the year, sediment and debris can make their way into your water heater tank. This sediment can build up and cause your water heater not to work as well, shortening its lifespan and compromising your hot water supply.
Drain your water heater and clean out any sediment that’s settled at the bottom. It’s also a good idea at this time to check on the anode rod that protects your water heater from rust. If it looks seriously pitted, rusted, or damaged, take this opportunity to replace it.
Tidy Up Your Yard
During the summertime, you and your family will likely spread out a variety of things across your yard. You may have patio furniture that you hosted cookouts on, a grill, kids’ toys, garden hoses and tools, and even a pool. But with winter weather on the way, it’s a good idea to bring all these things inside to keep them from getting damaged.
Round up any outdoor furniture and grills and stow them away in a garage, storage shed, or other indoor storage areas. Turn off any outside taps, insulate them, and drain and coil up any hoses or irrigation systems. Drain or close off any pool you may have. If it’s an above-ground setup, take it down and stow it away until the weather warms up again.
Wrap Up Your Fall Checklist
As the weather turns colder, many of us are dreaming about the beauty of fall foliage and crisp evenings huddled under blankets. Preparing your home for fall storms can help you stay safe and comfortable all winter long. Be sure to check your roof, maintain your heating systems, and prep your yard for the coming cold weather.
If you’d like to start ticking things off your fall checklist, check out the rest of our site at Blue Nail Roofing and Construction. We provide expert roofing and construction services for both residential and commercial properties. Contact us today and get the best peace of mind in your home.
